Madison Square Garden chairman bans Charles Oakley after scuffle

NEW YORK -- Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan says Charles Oakley has been banned from the arena, though not necessarily forever.

In an interview Friday with ESPN Radio’s Michael Kay, Dolan also confirms a report that he had fired the Garden’s security chief, two nights after Oakley was forcefully removed from his seat and arrested at a Knicks game. Dolan says the firing of the security head stemmed from more than just the handling of the Oakley incident.

Dolan says that games must remain safe for fans, and for that reason, “We are going to put the ban in place and hopefully it won’t be forever.”

The Knicks distributed a witness report earlier Friday featuring more than a dozen witnesses from throughout the arena who described what the Knicks have called Oakley’s “abusive” behavior.

After his arrest, Oakley told the New York Daily News that he didn’t accost Dolan.

“I was there for four minutes,” Oakley said late Wednesday night. “I didn’t say anything to him. I swear on my mother. They came over and wanted to know why I was sitting there. I bought the ticket. I said why do you guys keep staring at me. Then they asked me to leave. And I said I’m not leaving.”   

Oakley tweeted his thanks to his fans on Friday night and said he would be holding a press conference next week.

Oakley, one of the star players for the Knicks from 1988-98, famously fought with Dolan during his run on the team. 

Shocked and outraged by the Knicks’ treatment of Oakley, current and former players have shown their support for the NBA alum. New York fans have not forgiven the Knicks either, breaking out into a “Free Oakley” chant at a New York Rangers game at Madison Square Garden on Thursday, CBS Sports reports. 

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• New York Knicks